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50 BEST RESTAURANTSTHE MILWAUKEE AREA'S TOP DINING ESTABLISHMENTS, AS CHOSEN BY OUR EDITORS

COPY BY SYDNEY PURPORA | PHOTOS BY DAVID SZYMANSKI

The Milwaukee area’s culinary community is undoubtedly stronger than ever, and paring down its many restaurants into a list of just 50 was no easy feat. Our editors weighed various factors, including the inventiveness of the establishment’s cuisine and overall ambiance, when deciding which restaurants deserved a spot on this list, and we’re excited to finally share it with you, our loyal readers and fellow foodies. Enjoy! *This list is ordered alphabetically; numbers do not indicate or imply rank.

Artistry and food unite at this Lake Country restaurant, offering inventive dishes and panoramic views of Pewaukee Lake.

INSIDER TIP:Order the smoked pork and peach flatbread to start, and then round out your meal with an “adult” milkshake made with bourbon, Sassy Cow Creamery vanilla ice cream and house-made chocolate chip cookies.

A Milwaukee native, chef/owner Thomas Hauck serves up locally sourced proteins, from short ribs and duck to veal tenderloin and steak tartare, with a fresh, innovative twist. The five-course tasting menu is a diner favorite too.

INSIDER TIP: Plunge your fork into the lamb served three ways, and then order the sinfully good whatchamacallit for dessert.

Chef/owner Peggy Magister was one of the first Milwaukee area restaurateurs to bring farm-to-table dining to Cream City, and she continues to deliver inventive plates made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

INSIDER TIP: While each entree shines in its own right, the jasmine rice, which accompanies the crazy shrimp, is superbly yummy too.

A menu that changes daily and quite possibly the coziest, most charming dining and bar area around can be found at The Noble, a Walker’s Point gem.

INSIDER TIP: Although the menu changes daily, diners can expect poultry, beef and pescatarian- and vegetarian-friendly dishes each night. Portion sizes are quite large, so consider sharing an entree or two to sample more of the menu.

The BKC is Story Hill’s name stands for “bottle, kitchen, cocktail,” and the Milwaukee area serves up quality fare inspired by the Upper Midwest — and with a sophisticated, globally influenced technique too.

INSIDER TIP: Story Hill’s happy hour menu, served from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, is extensive, with the loin bacon flatbread and avocado toast topping our must-order list.

42.Supper (closed)

1962 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 509-6074supper.restaurant

Owner Gina Gruenewald of Wolf Peach fame opened Supper in the former Shorecrest Hotel, offering guests a modern take on a traditional, American-style supper club.

Located just south of Lake Country, The Union House encapsulates old-school Wisconsin charm. The restaurant's history dates back more than 125 years, ensuring a warm and intimate dining experience, and its menu promises elevated supper club-esque fare, from char-grilled New York strip steak to French onion soup triple-topped with ooey, gooey cheeses.

Chef/owner Michael Feker brings a globally-inspired menu, complete with his takes on various cuisine found worldwide, to downtown Hartland.

INSIDER TIP: Sink your teeth into the grilled Black Angus beef tenderloin served over crunchy onion strings. The dish is smothered in a French-style compound butter that will appease even the pickiest of taste buds.